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Intended to be Thoroughly Equipped

Posted on May 10, 2017 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 4 Comments ↓

God saved us for a reason — to do good works.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph. 2:8-10)

God doesn’t, however, save us by His grace and power and then intend for us to go off in our own wisdom and strength, to figure it out on our own. Rather, “he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6).

God’s Intent for Us to be Thoroughly Equipped

When God commissions us to do His work here on earth, He provides all we need to do it as seen in a number of Scripture passages like:

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life … (2 Pet. 1:3-4)

has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Eph. 1:3)

Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. (Jn. 1:16)

for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. (Phil. 2:13)

But, the verses we will focus on for the next several posts come from 2 Timothy 3:16-17 —

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

(Click on image to go to Pinterest for an enlarged version and repin.)

What It Means to be Thoroughly Equipped

The phrase “thoroughly equipped” stems from two forms of the same Greek word, one an adjective, artios, and the other a verb, exartizo. They both bring the idea of completeness. The verb is the furnishing, providing, fitting, or supplying part of completeness. The adjective describes how thoroughly that process is accomplished. By using these two forms of the same word so close together, God obviously wants to make a point, emphasizing how much He intends to provide for us to do His will. — We are furnished completely complete.

As noted in the other referenced verses, we have everything we need, every spiritual blessing, grace upon grace, to accomplish “every good work” according to His power and grace.

Make no mistake: God’s aim is for us to be thoroughly equipped. In the upcoming posts we will examine 2 Timothy 3:16-17 to learn:

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To Love More & More

Posted on March 15, 2017 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Love — the greatest commandment we can follow (Matt. 22:37-40), the greatest characteristic we can possess (1 Cor. 13:13), the greatest credential we can have as followers of Jesus Christ (Jn. 13:35).

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God. (Phil. 1:9-11)

So, why wouldn’t we want to love more and more?

Loving More Requires Dependence on God

Notice how the Apostle Paul prayed that the Philippian Christians would grow in their love. — “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more …” — He didn’t ask the people to work at deepening their love. He asked God to do it. Remember that love is a fruit of the Spirit, something He develops within us (Gal. 5:22).

To Love More and More Revolves Around Knowing God More and More

When we know God, we better understand love because God is love. — “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” (1 Jn. 4:16) — The more fully we comprehend His love, the more confident and secure we become in Him which spills over into a greater ability to love (1 Jn. 4:17-19).

Loving More Results in Goodness and Glory to God

The more we love, the more discerning we become and the more likely we will be to do what is best and right, obvious that we’re followers of Jesus Christ. No wonder love is the greatest commandment, characteristic, and credential we can have!

Strength & Courage Needed?

Posted on March 8, 2017 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 2 Comments ↓

We live in turbulent times. We face many unknowns. The kind of strength and courage we need won’t come from within. Nor will we find it in our circumstances. We need the strength and courage Joshua, of the Old Testament times, needed as He faced many unknowns, seeking to lead a rebellious people.

Where Joshua Found Strength & Courage

God’s Promises

I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from … No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. (Josh. 1:1-6)

God’s Presence

As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you … Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. (Josh. 1:5, 9)

God’s Precepts

Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. (Josh. 1:7-8)

Finding Strength & Courage Today

Need strength and courage? Though our circumstances may differ from Joshua’s and all the particular promises and precepts God gave him may not apply to us, we nonetheless serve the same God.

Reflect on the many promises throughout Scripture that apply to you. (2 Cor. 1:20; 7:1; Heb. 8:6; 10:23; 2 Pet. 1:3-4)
Remember that God is always with you. (Matt. 28:20; Rom. 8:38-39; Heb. 13:5)
Return to God’s Word over and over again for the guidance you need. (Ps. 119:105; 2 Tim. 3:16-17)

Possible Joy

Posted on February 22, 2017 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — 1 Comment ↓

In the midst of trials and hardships we can still have joy — purposeful joy. While it may be difficult to imagine such joy when surrounded by so much turmoil, it is possible.

If we look at Bible verses about joy, we find some tips for attaining and keeping this joy in our hearts.

Cues from Bible Verses about How Joy is Possible

Raise your level of joy in the midst of whatever you face by doing the following:

1) Accept that there’s a bigger and better picture than what’s happening in the moment.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)

fixing our eyes on Jesus … For the joy set before him he endured the cross … (Heb. 12:2)

2) Focus on God’s history of faithfulness to His people … and to you.

The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. (Ps. 126:3)

3) Bask in God’s presence.

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. (Ps. 16:11)

4) Focus on the Lord and what He can do rather than your circumstances.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 15:13)

5) Yield yourself to the Holy Spirit to produce this joy in you. — That which might seem humanly impossible is possible with Him.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (Gal. 5:22)

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, (Rom. 14:17)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 15:13)

6) Pray that God would enable you to let go of that which is keeping you from His joy.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. (Ps. 51:12)

Purposeful Joy

Posted on February 15, 2017 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

What is purposeful joy? No, it’s not a term used in the Bible but I believe the concept is there, specifically in James 1:2-4.

How is Joy Purposeful?

First, notice how we are to “consider it” joy when faced with trials. That’s a purposeful choice to let joy reign in our lives, not our circumstances.

The Greek word for “consider” (hegeomai) literally means to lead or go before, to have rule or authority over something. That means we don’t let our circumstances control us or pull us down. Instead, we choose to rise above by gaining perspective. We deem, or think about, our circumstances as joy — not just a glimmer of joy but “pure” joy. A better rendition for “pure joy” would be “all joy” as the Greek word (pas) means all, individually and collectively — complete.

Second, notice the reason for considering it joy when faced with trials. Trials have a purposeful outcome which give us a reason to grab hold of joy in adverse circumstances.

By looking at the big picture, that of the character trials build within us, we’re able to gain the perspective we need to choose joy. Persevering in hardships not only produces mature character but also leads to a sense of contentment in which we’re “complete, not lacking anything”. If we allow our circumstances to rule us, rather than considering them pure joy, we won’t arrive at this outcome.

Third, notice the expectation of life to not always be easy, filled with only “feel good” moments. “WHEN” not “IF” trials come, we can be prepared by having a purposeful plan already in place to combat human tendencies.

Jesus told us to expect problems when He said, “In this world you will have trouble” (Jn. 16:33). God uses His Word to prepare us. If we’re Bible illiterate, it’s going to be difficult, in the midst of trials, to grab hold of the perspective we need to purposefully choose joy. However, when we’re familiar with verses like James 1:2-4, we will be more likely to head in the direction of joy over despair, to let joy reign in our lives rather than our circumstances. We will need purposeful joy because it won’t come naturally. In the next post we’ll look at other Bible verses that show how this kind of joy is possible!

Purposeful joy is possible.

Wait for the Lord

Posted on December 28, 2016 by Ministry Tools Resource Center — No Comments ↓

Whether it’s a new year or any other event in our lives, we would do well to learn from the Israelites who “did not wait for His plan to unfold” (Ps. 106:13). Though God extended His kindness toward the Israelites in Egypt, they still rebelled. “Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, to make his mighty power known.” (Ps. 106:8) He rescued them from their adversary by parting the sea. “Then they believed his promises and sang his praise.” (Ps. 106:12)

You would think such a miraculous delivery would seal their trust in God’s intent to do good for them and His ability to bring it about. “But they soon forgot what he had done and did not wait for his plan to unfold.” (Ps. 106:13) They repeatedly put God to the test. Read the remainder of Psalm 106 to see how that led to much needless trouble.

Why We Don’t Wait for the Lord

Who likes the wilderness experience? Who doesn’t want the good without experiencing pain or hardship? Yet, like the Israelites of old, God sometimes takes us on an indirect route to get to His place of blessing. If, like the Israelites, we focus on our circumstances rather than on our God, we too will experience needless trouble along the way.

Psalm 106:13 cues us in on why they didn’t wait on the Lord — “they soon forgot what he had done …” As a result, their impatience with the process led them to take matters into their own hands and to turn to sources other than God for help and hope.

Why We Should Wait for the Lord

The Israelites had every reason to wait for the Lord. He had already proven Himself faithful. He had already demonstrated His power. God already had shown Himself greater than their circumstances.

For us today, let’s think about what God has already done for us in sending Jesus.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! (Rom. 5:8-10)

God has already demonstrated how much He loves us. God has already proven His desire and ability to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Certainly we should believe “that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6). The more we understand the character of our faithful, powerful, and loving God, the more we will realize that we have every reason to “wait for His plan to unfold” in our lives.